← View More MAZDA Models

MAZDA 5 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 397 MOT tests from 23 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every MAZDA 5 has the same fault.

MAZDA 5's have a poor reliability rating of 361/999. The score was calculated from the average of every MAZDA 5 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the MAZDA 5.

MAZDA logo
MAZDA logo
MAZDA 5 side viewMAZDA 5 (example)
Mazda logo

Check a Mazda 5 before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

Mazda 5 side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
N/AN/A368/999Fair84,398 miles599 vehicles
N/AN/A363/999Fair75,674 miles716 vehicles
N/AN/A352/999Fair86,627 miles972 vehicles

How reliable is the MAZDA 5?

Based on 397 MOT tests from 23 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

23

MOT tests

397

Pass rate

70.3%

Median mileage

102,503 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every MAZDA 5 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 503 out of 999.

Common MAZDA 5 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 60 advisory comments and 3 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 39 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (3.5.1G)

Anti-roll bar issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 24 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record wear or damage in the anti-roll bar, its links, or its bushes.

What to inspect

Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR ANTI-ROLL BAR LINKAGE BALL JOINT HAS SLIGHT PLAY (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Ball joint wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 7 advisory comments and 11 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn or damaged ball joint. Track rod ends are counted with steering, not here.

What to inspect

Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT HAS SLIGHT PLAY (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 17 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: REAR SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 12 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER HAS A SERIOUS FLUID LEAK (2.7.3)

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 12 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE WINDSCREEN WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDSCREEN EFFECTIVELY (3.4 (B) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 8 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

MAZDA 5 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Not enough VehicleScore data for year-by-year conclusions.

What to check when buying a used MAZDA 5

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Anti-roll bar issues. Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

  • Ball joint wear. Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

  • Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

  • Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

  • Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Buying a MAZDA 5?

Common problems tell you what can affect MAZDA 5s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

Browse Other MAZDA Models